Make your networking worthwhile with these top tips.
This article is just a glimpse into the rich library of resources available to gighrly members. Ready to unlock it all? Join gighrly today!
Whether we like it or not, we need to network to get business.
It’s a critical skill for us people professionals – and whether we’re employed or not. In business, where every non-billable hour counts, it’s all the more important to make sure that what you do by way of networking is worth your time and effort.
Here's a breakdown of what type of networking is worth doing, why it's valuable, and how to position yourself to attract interest.
Types of Networking That Are Worth Your Time
Professional Associations and HR Forums
- Why: If you’re targeting larger organisations for the bulk of your work, these platforms connect you to those HR professionals who are in a position to influence outcomes for you.
- Examples: CIPD, HRD Roundtables or local/virtual HR networking groups.
- How to maximise: Attend events regularly, contribute to discussions, and join subgroups aligned with your interests or expertise (e.g., diversity, talent acquisition).
Industry-Specific Events
- Why: Engaging with professionals from the specific industries you’re targeting (e.g., tech, healthcare, retail, not for profit, etc.) helps you to understand the context and the likely business problems they face so you can tailor your solutions and message.
- Examples: Tech conferences, MakeUK events or HR-focused panels at larger industry conferences.
- How to maximise: Highlight case studies or insights from your experience relevant to the industry.
Cross-Business Meet-ups/Network Groups
- Why: If you’re targeting local SMEs, then networking beyond HR circles is paramount.
- Examples: Chamber of Commerce, business leadership events such as IoD or business networking clubs. Google search works well in this regard or ask a question in the gighrly club to see which networks folk recommend.
- How to maximise: You’ve got some perceptual barriers to overcome when you say you’re in HR, so start by asking those commercial questions to understand the context and then say how you could help. For example, helping businesses to maximise their performance and reduce risk through effective people management practices.
Online Networking Communities
🤫 As much as we love our blog readers, we can’t spill all the best networking clubs here! 🤫
Curious to hear our recommendations? Become a gighrly member!
- Why: It’s good to be part of several networks so you can broaden your reach and learn from a wider circle. Platforms like LinkedIn, X, and specialised HR forums offer scalable networking and collaboration opportunities in addition to knowledge acquisition opportunities and potential gig opportunities. Some of these are free, but increasingly you’ll find paid for memberships offered. So, our advice is to budget for your networks and choose according to the focus and vibe.
- Examples: LinkedIn groups such as ██ ████████ (for transformation-based HR/OD pros) or ██ ███████████ (which has a lot of support for generalist HR Consultants) are both great for building subject-matter expertise and business knowledge. ███ ██ ██████████ ████ is another great network that fosters kindness and which both freelancers and in-house pros can join, and the ██ ████ █████ is for all HR folk who want to connect on a personal and social level with some learning thrown in for good measure.
- App-based communities such as ████████ ██ are great for personal growth and general learning, and of course along with other paid for membership-based general business communities such as ███ ████ for freelancers or ███ █████████████ ██████.
- Then, there’s the ██████ ████ (which also hosts in-person events) and the ███████████ ████████ ████ which specifically focuses in on growing an HR Consultancy.
- And finally, how could we forget out very own gighrly club right here, which focuses on creating prosperity for people pros by developing your confidence, connection and skill in business surrounded by likeminded folk! From your settings tab on the app, you can elect to take part in bi-weekly or monthly 121 match-ups with other gighrly club members to get to know what you do and connect. These 121 match-ups are also great for anyone who gets overwhelmed by group networking – do give them a go (when you become a member!) 😊
- How to maximise: Share thought leadership content (articles, posts, comments), answer questions, support fellow members and engage with trending topics.
Networking within your clients’ organisations when on assignment
- Why: We’ve put this in because building strong relationships within your client organisation beyond the task in hand can create further business opportunities down the line, or at the very least advocacy for your work and approach that you can exploit.
- Examples: Coffee chats with project team members, lunch with key stakeholders, or become a coach/guide for permanent HR team members who’ll remember you when they climb the ladder.
- How to maximise: Be approachable and always aim to demonstrate the value of people-centric initiatives in driving organisational and strategic success.
How to Position Yourself to Attract Interest when Networking
1. Define and showcase your unique value proposition
- Be clear about what sets you apart: Is it your expertise in employee engagement, talent management, or organisational transformation?
- Use a succinct elevator pitch that highlights your niche: “I specialise in designing people-first strategies that enable businesses to double their bottom-line performance.” Or “I help organisations to retain talent by training managers on effective people management”.
2. Develop a personal brand
- Create a strong online presence through LinkedIn or a personal website.
- Check out our gighrly guide to creating a winning LI profile. (Sorry blog readers, this one's for gighrly eyes only!)
- Regularly post insights, articles, or success stories from your career.
- Engage with other professionals’ content to build reciprocal relationships.
3. Be visible and approachable
- Attend events prepared to share your story and ask thoughtful questions.
- Carry a business card or have a digital contact-sharing method handy.
- Practice active listening – it builds rapport and trust.
4. Share solutions, not just problems
- Position yourself as a thought leader by sharing actionable ideas or solutions you’ve implemented.
- Offer free value during conversations, such as a useful tool, book recommendation, or insight.
5. Leverage testimonials and case studies
- When relevant, reference successful projects or testimonials to showcase your impact.
- Example: “In my last project, I introduced a recognition program that improved employee engagement by 25%.”
6. Follow up and stay engaged
- After meeting someone, connect on LinkedIn and personalise the message: “It was great meeting you at [event]. Would love to stay connected!”
- Maintain relationships by periodically engaging with their content or sending helpful resources to them.
Ready to up your networking game with a community of HRpreneurs on the same journey as you, land new gigs, and get access to loads of resources like this to boost your business success in every area? Join gighrly today (it costs less than a cup of coffee a day ☕) and let's 'win-win-win' together. 💚

